Position: Skilled Trades Instructor

Pay Rate: $68,000 - $80,000

Last Revised: 07/2026

Status: Non-Exempt: Full Time, 40hrs/Weekly

Definition

The Specialized Trades Instructor oversees the construction training component of The Children's Cabinet's Workforce Development & Education programs, including Washoe YouthBuild and other workforce development initiatives. This position is responsible for planning, delivering, and managing construction-based learning experiences, hands-on technical instruction, worksite activities, safety practices, and industry-aligned skill development while supporting participants in achieving employment, apprenticeship, and career pathway goals.

Although this position includes instructional responsibilities, it also requires specialized construction expertise. In addition to teaching construction skills, the Specialized Instructor oversees hands-on construction projects, teaches blueprint reading, construction mathematics, estimating materials, jobsite organization, and industry best practices, ensures OSHA compliance and jobsite safety, coordinates work-based learning opportunities, manages tools and equipment, and prepares participants for careers in registered apprenticeships, employment, and postsecondary training.

The Specialized Instructor combines construction industry expertise with youth development, workforce preparation, and mentorship to provide participants with meaningful opportunities to develop technical skills, professional behaviors, leadership, accountability, and career readiness.

This position ensures construction programming aligns with YouthBuild standards, U.S. Department of Labor requirements, OSHA regulations, industry-recognized competencies, and applicable safety standards. Responsibilities include supervising active worksites, coordinating training activities, maintaining tools and equipment, supporting credential attainment, and developing partnerships with employers, unions, apprenticeship programs, and industry organizations.

The Specialized Trades Instructor works collaboratively with Case Managers, Workforce Development Education Instructors, Program Coordinators, employers, and community partners to support participant success. This role provides direct instruction, coaching, accountability, and mentorship to opportunity youth while creating pathways into skilled trades careers.

This position may operate in classroom settings, construction training environments, community service sites, employer worksites, and other locations as needed.

Participant Oversight

Provides construction instruction, mentorship, and career guidance to program participants. Maintains a safe, structured, and professional learning environment while supporting participant accountability, technical skill development, workplace readiness, and successful transition into construction careers.

Duties

• Develop, manage, and continuously improve the construction training component of Workforce Development & Education programs, ensuring alignment with YouthBuild standards, U.S. Department of Labor expectations, and industry-recognized competencies.
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee hands-on construction projects, community service projects, and work-based learning opportunities.
• Develop project schedules, establish timelines, coordinate materials, and support successful completion of construction activities.
• Provide direct instruction in construction safety, tools, equipment, materials, and industry best practices.
• Teach construction fundamentals including blueprint reading, construction math, measurements, estimating materials, jobsite organization, and basic construction principles.
• Evaluate participant construction skills and competencies through observation, performance assessments, and hands-on projects.
• Develop and implement construction curriculum and learning activities that support participant skill development and career readiness.
• Ensure proper use, maintenance, organization, and inventory of tools, equipment, materials, and training resources.
• Maintain safe work environments by enforcing OSHA standards, PPE requirements, jobsite safety practices, and agency safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety briefings, toolbox talks, and ongoing safety instruction.
• Support compliance with applicable building codes, regulations, permitting requirements, and industry standards when applicable.
• Coordinate and supervise active jobsites, ensuring appropriate planning, safety procedures, participant engagement, and project completion.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, and accountability while reinforcing professionalism, communication, attendance, teamwork, and workplace expectations.
• Collaborate with Case Managers and Workforce Development Education Instructors to address participant barriers, engagement concerns, attendance challenges, and individual success goals.
• Participate in case conferencing and interdisciplinary meetings to support coordinated participant outcomes.
• Develop and maintain relationships with contractors, labor unions, apprenticeship programs, employers, and workforce partners.
• Support participants in accessing apprenticeships, internships, employment opportunities, and skilled trade career pathways.
• Assist participants with career preparation activities including resumes, interviews, job applications, and workplace expectations.
• Coordinate career exposure opportunities including jobsite tours, employer visits, guest speakers, and industry events.
• Support participant attainment of industry-recognized credentials including OSHA-10, OSHA-30, MC3, CPR/First Aid, NCCER, and other applicable certifications.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to participant training, certifications, competencies, attendance, projects, safety, and program outcomes.
• Participate in recruitment, orientation, leadership development, and program activities.
• Maintain effective communication with participants, staff, employers, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Participate in ongoing professional development related to construction instruction, YouthBuild, workforce development, and skilled trades.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Construction management principles and jobsite operations.
• Blueprint reading, construction mathematics, estimating, materials, and project planning.
• OSHA safety regulations, PPE requirements, and construction safety practices.
• Construction industry standards, tools, equipment, and skilled trade pathways.
• Apprenticeship systems and career pathways within the construction industry.
• Positive youth development practices and mentoring strategies.
• Challenges and barriers experienced by opportunity youth.
• YouthBuild program standards and U.S. Department of Labor expectations.

Ability to

• Manage construction projects, schedules, materials, and jobsite activities.
• Teach and mentor participants with varying experience and skill levels.
• Read and interpret blueprints, plans, and construction documents.
• Create engaging, safe, hands-on learning environments.
• Maintain accountability while building positive relationships with participants.
• Communicate effectively with youth, staff, contractors, employers, and community partners.
• Coordinate multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Evaluate participant skill development and provide constructive coaching.
• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Special Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible construction industry experience with demonstrated supervisory, leadership, project management, or instructional responsibilities preferred.
• Experience managing construction projects, crews, or active jobsites preferred.
• Experience teaching or mentoring youth, apprentices, or adult learners preferred.
• Experience working with opportunity youth or workforce development programs preferred.
• OSHA-30 Certification required within six (6) months of hire.
• MC3 Instructor Certification required within six (6) months of hire.
• NCCER Instructor Certification preferred and encouraged within six (6) months of hire when applicable.
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification required within six (6) months of hire.
• Valid Nevada Driver's License and proof of insurance required.
• Must be able to safely lift up to 50 pounds, operate construction tools and equipment, stand for extended periods, and perform physical tasks associated with construction activities.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Position may require occasional evening, weekend, and community-based programming hours.

Benefits

This is a full-time, multi-track, year-round position.

This position is eligible for benefits.

The Children's Cabinet is an equal opportunity employer and encourages persons to apply regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, religion, veteran status, national origin, age, handicap, disability, familial status, political affiliation, or beliefs.It is the policy of The Children's Cabinet, Inc. that all employees are employed at will by both the employee and The Children's Cabinet.